Career Path of a Co-Director LA Senior Program at Minds Matter SoCal
Beth's career path began with student leadership roles at Stanford, including co-presidency of the Associated Students and co-founding the Center for Research on Women, which "has thrived into an incredible organization." After law school, a desire to "do something good in the world" led to a fulfilling career as a union lawyer for over 45 years, culminating in retirement and a new role at Minds Matter SoCal.
Leadership, Nonprofit, Union Organizing, Gender Research, Career Transition
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Beth Garfield
Co-Director, LA Senior Program
Minds Matter SoCal
Stanford University, 1974
University of Michigan Law School
Psychology
Law, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Legal
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Beth's leadership roles, such as co-president of Associated Students at Stanford and her contribution to establishing the Center for Research on Women (now the Michelle Kleiman Institute), highlight her commitment to social impact and organizational development.
2. Her experience as a labor lawyer for over 45 years showcases a sustained career path dedicated to advocacy and social justice, providing valuable insight into long-term career commitment in a chosen field.
3. Beth's decision to pursue a career in labor law despite the pressure to enter corporate law during law school demonstrates the importance of aligning one's career path with personal values and goals and following one's passion in the face of external pressures.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college?
Do you have any internships or jobs you had before your current role?
I went to college at Stanford as an undergrad, and then I went to law school at the University of Michigan.
While I was in college, I was very active politically. I was co-president of the Associated Students, which was the student body president role. I also helped start what was then called the Center for Research on Women.
This center is now the Michelle Kleiman Institute for gender research. We created an organization that researches gender issues. When we started it, we didn't expect it to last, but it has thrived into an incredible organization. I am now on its advisory council.
Then I went to law school in Michigan. I grew up in San Diego and didn't understand what cold was; I was freezing. But it was a wonderful experience.
I started law school wanting to do something good in the world. I didn't realize law school pushes students toward big corporate jobs, which wasn't what I wanted. That was an interesting struggle.
When I graduated, I wanted to be a lawyer for unions, a labor lawyer. I came back to California and found a job in a labor law firm in Los Angeles. I then created my own labor firm with a partner.
I worked as a union lawyer for over 45 years and loved every minute of it. I also did some union organizing during that time. I retired in 2019, and that's when I found Minds Matter.